Study Commission Amends Fire Services Ballot Question, Other Boards Eye Grants and Budget
The Butte-Silver Bow Local Government Study Commission approved revised ballot language for the fire services question on July 1, adding a volunteer fire coordinator appointed by volunteers. The amendment passed 8-1 as part of a broader set of unanimous votes finalizing ballot questions for executive and legislative structure, neighborhood councils, and the reclamation department.
The commission also reaffirmed a contingency plan for a two-option fire question if the current three-option version is rejected by election officials, relying on a prior 6-3 vote. Those decisions, drawn from official minutes, cap months of study on potential changes to the city-county government.
Meanwhile, the Urban Revitalization Board weighed more than $200,000 in matching grant requests, the Council of Commissioners began its budget review, and several boards set the stage for mid-July actions on historic properties, public health funding, and land sales.
Study Commission Finalizes Ballot Language
Meeting on July 1, the commission marked up the unified fire services ballot option to include a volunteer coordinator role. The commission then unanimously approved ballot language specifying an at-large mayor and the phrase “form of government” for the executive question, and removed the word “part-time” from the current legislative option. Corrections to the neighborhood councils and reclamation department questions also passed without dissent. No action was taken on the commission’s final report or preliminary report revisions, which remain under discussion.
Budget and Revitalization Grants
The Council of Commissioners held a preliminary budget presentation on June 29, with Finance Director Karen Hassler outlining the FY2026-2027 proposal. The council voted to refer the budget to the Finance & Budget Committee for detailed review. No dollar figures from the proposed budget were immediately released.
On June 23, the Urban Revitalization Board considered several matching grant requests: up to $21,375 for exterior work at 742 Maryland; up to $43,568 for stained glass and masonry at 215 W. Broadway; an increase to $28,914.50 for St. Mary’s Church at 440 N. Main; and up to $95,640 for a fire sprinkler system at 341 Anaconda Rd. The board also reviewed a loan underwriting agreement with the Butte Local Development Corp. Official minutes were not yet published.
Public Safety, Property, and Animal Ordinances
The Council of Commissioners met June 24 with a public hearing on Ordinance 2026-02, which would amend the designated jurisdictional area of the fire department. The same agenda included proposed updates to nuisance dog barking and tiered chicken-keeping ordinances, a request to purchase a vacant lot at 640 S. Dakota, and committee reviews of personnel policy amendments and $859,331.63 in expenditures.
On July 1, the council again considered the fire department jurisdictional ordinance, as well as a resolution authorizing sale of real property for community development (Home Addition block 16). The consent agenda that day included labor agreements with police, operating engineers, and transit workers; a $39,000 grant for library solar panels; and a request to apply for a $7,000 TBID grant for parks marketing.
The Local Emergency Planning Committee on June 24 heard a Red Cross presentation, reviewed one hazmat incident, and discussed an upcoming tabletop exercise at Bert Mooney Airport in August. The Business Improvement District board on July 1 reviewed financials, discussed hiring an administrative assistant, and prioritized streetscape projects.
Airport Authority
The Airport Authority Board approved minutes, bills, and financial statements unanimously on July 1, with no new policy decisions. The meeting focused on progress updates for AIP and hangar projects.
Coming Up
- **Historic Preservation Commission** (July 7): Public hearing on EPA brownfields abatement at Basin Creek Park and design reviews for several historic properties, including the Covellite Theatre and St. Patrick’s Church.
- **Council of Commissioners** (July 8): Further action on the fire department jurisdictional area ordinance, the proposed purchase of 640 S. Dakota, a tax deed auction resolution, and committee reports on economic development and finance.
- **Board of Health** (July 8): Task orders and agreements totaling more than $900,000 for emergency preparedness, cancer control, WIC nutrition, HIV/hepatitis prevention, immunizations, and other public health services.
- **Land Sales Committee** (July 14): Discussion on authorizing a tax deed auction for county-owned parcels and a request from Paul Vannoy to purchase the vacant lot at 640 S. Dakota for infill.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.